ICSA president Sean McNamara has said he is urgently seeking clarification regarding the recent targeting of Irish livestock trucks by Irish officials at the port of Cherbourg. "ICSA has been contacted by several of the livestock hauliers affected who claim they were singled out by the Irish officials for additional inspections by the French authorities while non livestock carrying trucks were left alone. This was despite these inspections having no relevance to animal welfare," he said.

ICSA understands that nine livestock hauliers were issued with on-the-spot fines ranging from €1,500 to €12,500 for minor traffic offences.

"The events that transpired in Cherbourg last week can only be described as an ambush on live exports. It is clear that these Irish officials – who did not identify themselves but are suspected to be from the RSA - were instructed to target Irish livestock hauliers on French soil and we need an explanation as to why.

Not only did the hauliers involved have to pay exorbitant fines they were also delayed to such an extent that the ship departed without them. This led to further additional costs both on the ground in France and here at home with scheduled pick-ups missed due to the trucks being prevented from sailing."

Continuing Mr McNamara said, "Live exports are a vital part of Irish farming and we cannot stand by while livestock hauliers are being singled out over their non livestock carrying counterparts.  This sort of unfair targeting will either drive hauliers out of business or force them to cease transporting livestock altogether and it cannot be allowed to continue."